Cartoons and Comics - It's Kinda Funny...

It’s Kinda Funny…

As a child, one of my fondest memories is sitting on the patio with my grandmother drinking “milk coffee” on Sunday afternoons while reading the newspaper.  She required that at least one major news article and a feature within the society section be read before I could dive into “the funnies”.  “The world is full of clowns and silly women, Cookie,” she would say, “You needn’t add to the lot.”  “My hope is that you’ll continue to defy the norm and become a triple threat:  educated and refined with a sense of humor as an added bonus – but NOT you’re claim to fame.”  The words that fell from that lady’s lips were nothing short of sharp-edged poetry.  Notice the description:  Lady.  She insisted on the reference because according her, “Every girl will become a “woman” by default through no effort of her own, but “Lady” is title not given, but EARNED.  You’ll do well to remember that, you hear me?”  Yes ma’am, Gram, I hear you; I did then, and I still do now.  Ha!  I miss her so…

This blog post explores my experiences with composing cartoons and comics using three online tools to test drive the features and usability of each resource and brainstorm ways this platform could be used to enhance the quality of and provide an added platform for student presentations.  Featured are my own authentic “Sunday afternoon Funnies” along with a review of each Web 2.0 tool.  Gram’s 

sharp wit is all over ‘em!

ToonDoo

The sign up and comic design process using the ToonDo comic strip generator were both straight forward and generally easy to use.  Users are first prompted to choose the layout of the comic.  The only drawback noted here was the maximum number of slides available was four.  I had drafted an entire soap opera, then had to shed the fat to make it fit.  Next came the design of a backdrop and selection of characters desired to populate the toon.  I appreciated the ability to select features like stance, facial expression, and shading to add depth and dimension.  A hiccup encountered was the addition of text, though.  The talk bubbles were all formatted to initiate from the left and did not change directions without distracting distortions.  Also, text would disappear due to a word quota (I suppose) causing me to constantly condense and revise.  Multiple sharing options exist in addition to the ability to copy and paste the toon.  Aside from the minor drawbacks, I can totally Do, ToonDo!  I know my students will like it too!

Pixton

Comic Access Link:  https://Pixton.com/ic:51qfvocz

*Disclaimer:  Common sharing options are only optimal if a subscription is purchased.  The exact wording featured on the site when I attempted to download the image to my computer to upload it into this blog post read:  "This feature (downloading) is reserved for paying members only."  The nerve!

It is easy to see how those inspired by and interested in the world of in-depth graphic design would gladly lose sleep to spend all waking hours using this toon generator, but for a novice like me, it is sensory overload – Team Too Much!  Far too many decisions and options were presented to make the process of creation “fun”.  It was work, but in the end, it was worth it.  When LEISURE TIME (what is that, right?!) becomes available again, it is a site and service I am likely to revisit.  On a positive note:  The introductory video on the site’s homepage that explained the multitude of benefits available for educators and the creative and collaborative power extended to students is nothing short of awe inspiring. 

Though this one might be a little bit over my elementary students’ heads, I am willing to test it out with them nevertheless.  My immediate plan is to introduce the tool to the staff during next month’s back to school staff development week to add to their introductory resources during “Meet the Teacher” night.  Talk about setting the tone for a “cool” school year!

MakeBeliefs Comix

Embed Code:  http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=14416719C1984362

I’m a “Belief-er!”  Though it took a couple of tries, personal peptalks and reminders that I was NOT so intellectually challenged that I could not navigate a site designed for children, once I began designing my toon, the process was a smooth one.  The side panel is a bit confusing and unorthodox, but I did appreciate the open, single page “one stop image shopping” design.  Not having to toggle between pages to review the “cast of characters”, the limited selection of expressions, talk bubble and frame color options all provided an easy, non-threatening introduction to this method of information presentation.  What this resource lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for in breeding comfort and usability to provide a more competent segue into the more advanced toon graphic tools.

*Disclosure:  To share the toon, users have to email it to themselves or friends, but do have the option of saving it to their computers for later review.